Stretching Out Our Spelling Words

My kiddos love to stretch out their words!

Using our Stretchy Snake Spelling Mats and matching Dolch Pre- & Primer Sight Word Cards, we are spelling in a fun way!

This set can be used in language arts centers or individually. My students LOVED using the spelling mats which can be differentiated with the words in their growing vocabulary.  The spelling mats can be combined with letter tiles, colorful dry erase or scento markers. They were so engaged in doing this, my little spellers couldn't get enough!

If you would like these for your classroom, you can,

click here. 

They're free for today only!

My kinders LOVE them! 

I hope you can use them too!

10 Reasons Teachers Should Connect Through Social Media

We live in an age where technology is all around us. Yes, it can be intimidating. Yes, it can be overwhelming. I've been there. But, I would LOVE to encourage you not to give up. 

Here are 10 reasons why teachers should connect through venues such as Instagram, Twitter, Periscope or Facebook:

1. A Plethora of Resources! Through app feeds & networks there is so much information filtering through with unlimited imaginative ideas & most likely the latest, cutting edge technological tidbits! This is a HUGE timesaver. Hashtags (such as #edchat, #elemchat, #tptchat, #2getherwearebetter) let you focus on what you need to find and when! Through the Twitter stream, Periscope, Facebook & Instagram

I’ve found apps and other tech tools that were tested and recommended by other teachers!

2. Opportunities! From Group-ons to giveaways to practically free offers and invitations to visit places like Space Camps and opportunities to meet other teachers at conferences like #tptVegas are because of social media's reach through venues like Twitter!

3. You Make Your Schedule: You can connect when you fit it in your schedule. You check in when you have time. It could be in between classes or even while you're in line at the grocery store. 

4. Global Learning! No matter what part of the world you live in, when networking your common goal is helping each other find what each other needs. Connections are powerful resources!

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5. FREEBIES! In this day and age when the economy is uncertain, most of these awesome apps are offered for free. In addition, I've found so many free offerings for teachers, I'm so giddy with the excitement of it!

6. New Friends! When you’re connected, there are so many endless possibilities! The relationships you build are tremendous and helpful.

7. Great Support! Taking a couple of minutes to connect might lead you to a new way of teaching that will improve learning in your classroom.

8. Reflection! When you connect, you automatically reflect in a powerful way. Others' ideas improve your perspectives. 

9. 24/7 Learning! The door to learning is always open & people you’ve never met in person are willing to support & help you.  The educators on Twitter & other networks share a common passion for learning and it’s very empowering.

10. Model it & Practice it: Our students need to understand how to be connected in a global society. We need to be an example of the appropriate way to go about it. We need to model it in our classrooms every single day.  Opportunities to Skype, Twitter and/or connect with "pen-pals" are easily planned, produced and are such a positive experience for you and your kids.

In John Maxwell’s book Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, he states, “Connecting increases your influence in every situation.” This cannot be more true! Our ability to connect is directly related to our ability to influence others.

Get connected.  The only regret you’ll have is that you didn’t get started sooner!

Beary In~Sight~Full Words

I am super excited about this blog post!!! 

Although it's still summer vacation time for me and my family, we've been super busy with traveling, visiting family, attending summer camps, reorganizing my classroom and finding time to relax and wiggle our toes out by the swimming pool. 

So in the wee hours of these (still so busy) summer days, I've squeezed in time to create.

www.learningstudiobug.com

I've had an adorable teddy bear theme in the morning message/circle time activities for my class and wanted to carry on these cuddly cubs into my sight word routine. So I made these cute teddy bear cards. They include Fry's First 100 Sight Words which can be neatly housed inside of a set of fun little photo albums I found at Michael's Craft Store.

Along with the sight word mini albums, I created the accompanying Sticker Books. My students COULD NOT get enough of them this past school year! I would say it's quite the sticker addiction. I admit it is all my doing, I know! After all, I do have a "slight" sticker addiction myself!!! 

In addition to the Mini Album and Sticker Book, I also created Sentence Builders. These sentence builders can be a challenge at first, but my kiddos were similarly addicted to these as well and were begging for more. I could not believe it! Once they accomplished the first two, they just couldn't wait to complete more of them. The Sentence Builders can be used in a language arts center or separately depending upon your needs.

This kit is a growing bundle at my Tpt store. I plan on adding more sight word activities/centers to it in the weeks ahead. 

Click Here For The Bundle

As much as my children have loved this sight word collection, I hope this set can be a "beary" fun part of your language arts routine too!

A Kinder Blog Kickoff!

What an exciting feeling to be part of something big! Our new Kinder Tribe is going LIVE now! And we're all so thrilled to contribute to it's development and culmination! 

It literally has taken a small village (an AMAZING group of kindergarten teachers) to create the Kinder Tribe including one of our very best new entrepreneurs, A Pinch Of Kinder.  My hats off to Yukari for her devoted hard work! 

We have already hosted our first linky party and launched our first giveaway loaded with a plethora of wonderful prizes. There are sure to be more in store as we forge ahead. We've also collaborated in the blog's design and its upcoming offerings. I have to say, all who are involved at Kinder Tribe make a wonderfully, dynamic great team! 

 Each of our authors is filled with so much talent and ideas. So there are definitely tons of great things coming your way like Feature Friday's and What Worked Wednesdays.

As a contributor at Kinder Tribe, we are sharing a few "tid-bits" about each of ourselves and here is my Bit-About-Me:

You're Invited To Join Us For This Linky on InLinkz Here!

I'm so grateful for so many new friends and the ability to collaborate on ideas that mean so much to me; especially to my little kinders and the job that I love!  

Apples To Apples ~ Doodle Clipart Fun

As the summer skirts on by, my teacher instincts are gradually beginning to slide into prep mode. I love to draw and incorporate that artwork in my classroom as much as possible. 

In preparing for the Back~To-~School season that's just about a month away now, one of the biggest themes to work with and use are apples. 

Yes, I must admit, I am one of those teachers who absolutely loves apples mixed into the curriculum where ever and whenever possible! 

 So as I was doodling, one of the bits and bops that I created was a cute little apple clipart.

If you are interested in downloading this Sweet Little Apple clipart, 

Click to Download Here!

Hope you enjoy this sweet little offering! 

Charity Wings Fly In California

If you're ever in San Diego, California looking for a teacher bargain, there's a humble little country~style outpost called Charity Wings. I'm always looking for good teacher deals & happened upon this precious little craft store.

Like a "Raft" supply niche, Charity Wings collect donations from companies & sells them for practically pennies. They sell antique furniture along with craft & painting classes filled with fun projects for both kids & adults to create. 

Check out my amazing little finds!!! I was lucky to fill one bag with as much as I could squeeze into it for just $20 !!!!

This is Just HALF of the treasure I jammed into my shopping bag!!! I found oodles of letter stamps, number tiles, buttons, ribbons, pennants & more!! SCORE!!!

So if you're ever in southern Cali, drop by & you could be walking away with your hands full & a very happy camper. 

You can find Charity Wings Art Center at:
www.charitywings.org

Enjoying the summer! Hope you are too! :)

God Bless Us All !!

Ah! The summer break! 

It's such a peaceful and exciting time. A time to travel. A time to relax, smell the roses and really enjoy yourself! More and more though, I'm taking the time to reflect.

Not so much on the past, but inevitably I find myself appreciating what I have. I have my family. I have my health. I have a job that I love to do! I have so much to be thankful for. I'm definitely counting my blessings! And thank the Good Lord for mine!

Not only am I grateful for these blessings, but I believe that we are all very lucky to be here in this land! We have so many freedoms and conveniences. It's truly a blessing to be an American. 

I'm proud to be an American! 

So Cheers to America!!! xoxoxo

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Five Fun Ways To Keep Summer Sensational

"I'm bored! What can I do?" 

If you hear this question asked during your child's summer break, below are five fun ways to keep that boredom in the sun at bay.

As most school’s are out for some fun in the sun summer vacation, keeping our little one’s active and engaged in between big summer plans becomes more important every day. 

With children of my own, I am constantly thinking up new ways to engage my two little girls. Here are a few ideas to spark them into action during those “off” days in between travel trips and summer camps...

1. Craft It Up 

There are so many activities to choose from depending on your children’s interests. If they’re interested in art. Grab a ten-pack of mini-canvases from the craft store, some paint brushes & a water color palette & you're set. Children have a wonderful imagination for creating some fun abstract art they will be proud to display.

2. Draft It Up

We found some colored sidewalk chalk at our local dollar store & set to work right outside in the driveway. The kids created oodles of doodles which lasted for days out sharing with the world.

3. Get Your Game On

The kids cracked open some of our oldest and favorite game boards like “The Game of Life”, “Clue Junior”, “Mexican Train”, “Monopoly” & “Beat The Parents”. We had an absolute BLAST playing with each game. It is always educational & above all memorable!

4. Explore

Lace up those tennis shoes or hiking boots! It’s time to get out there and explore! We’ve been almost everywhere on our bicycles and by foot. Finding the coolest trails and sights to see have been super exciting for the kids. It’s a wonderful way to bond with your kids, join in with friends, make new discoveries and get some great exercise!

5. Keep It Fresh

I’ll probably come across as the worst mom in the world, but I have my children work out one page of math once a week. I want them to maintain all that they’ve learned, but haven’t quite mastered all the way and math concepts are no exception. Keeping them sharp and fresh is my goal in maintaining those skills most recently taught until they’ve made their way into their long term memory banks.

Get the most out of your time spent with your family. Children LOVE when that quality time is spent with them! It helps them to grow, learn, develop and most of all, feel special. 

Enjoy the summer!